Dual power Samsung Electronics has taken the wraps off its 'ultra-mobile' Q35 portable computer, which it claims is 'the world's smallest dual-core notebook'. Powered by Intel's 1.66-gigahertz T2300 Core Duo processor, which combines two microprocessors in one chip, Samsung's new sleek and chic notebook weighs 1.89kg and measures 299 x 214 x 27.4mm. Squeezed inside that small package are the Intel 945GM as the notebook's main chipset, an 80-gigabyte hard drive, 12.1-inch display, Intel PRO/Wireless 3945ABG chipset for Wi-fi connectivity, Intel GMA950 graphics chip, high-definition audio system, six-in-one memory card slot and six-cell Li-Ion battery. It also comes with Microsoft's Windows XP Home edition operating system, Symantec's Norton AntiVirus 2005, Adobe Reader 6 software and 512-megabyte system memory, which can be expanded to 1.5 gigabytes. The Q35 costs $11,800.
Touch sensitive At first blush the SSF-F1005 MP3 player from JNC may be considered a rival to Apple Computer's video iPod. But with just 512 megabytes of built-in capacity, the device comes up short in the memory department against the multi-gigabyte iPod. Still, the SSF-F1005 offers other notable features. These include touch-screen buttons, support of multiple languages, five pre-set equaliser modes, a built-in FM radio, direct MP3 encoding function and up to 35 hours of voice recording capability. It is also compact, measuring just 31.3 x 64 x 13.5mm. Distributed by Datum Networks, the SSF-F1005 costs $799.
Game on Serious gamers looking for an edge on their next opponent can bring the firepower of Intel's Core Duo processors and Nvidia's GeForce Go 7900 GTX graphics chipset to their next tournament, thanks to Dell's top-of-the-line XPS M1710 notebook personal computer. It is touted as the company's fastest consumer portable PC. Users can play 3D games at high settings while simultaneously performing other computer-intensive tasks, such as encoding music or running a virus scan, without zapping performance. The notebook comes in red or black, weighs about 3.9kg and features a magnesium alloy-reinforced chassis, 17-inch widescreen display, up to 120-gigabyte hard drive, illuminated touchpad, 5-in-1 media card reader and adjustable 16-colour perimeter lighting. Launched in the United States last week with prices starting at US$2,600, the XPS M1710 notebook is expected to be unveiled in Hong Kong by the end of next month.
Rock steady User friendly, a much-abused marketing term, may finally have found its rightful place in describing Sony's new 7.2-megapixel Cyber-shot DSC-T30. This svelte digital camera features double anti-blur technology, which lowers the risk of blurring photos by handshake or unwanted camera movement. It even allows users to shoot without the flash in low-light conditions, resulting in pictures that are as sharp as when using a flash but more naturally lit. The DSC-T30 also minimises power consumption to offer users extensive photo opportunities of up to 420 shots in one charge. The camera's colour modes - 'natural', 'rich', 'standard', 'monochrome' and 'sepia' - expand the choices for users to customise the settings of each shot. Its 'Menu Guidance' allows users to choose the right number of photos on the optimal print size. Available in black or silver, the DSC-T30 will be released early next month.
